Ivona Rose

Ivan is now planning some local shows on Sydney’s Central Coast – Stay Tuned.

About –

Raw, evocative, honest and uncompromisingly unique. Dreamy, eccentric melody marries poetic song writing and something brave is born. Hand carved like insignia on pavement, her tales of suburban life are as being lead through an enchanted garden, by a haunting hymn.

Central Coast based Ivona Rose migrated to Australia, from Krakow Poland. Her passion for music arts was born at a primary school age.

Whilst honing her craft as a singer songwriter, she has performed in Sydney, Melbourne & Regional NSW as part of Peats Ridge Music Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Wharf 2 Loud at the Sydney Theatre Company and has performed at various venues, where there is a call for live acoustic music.

In 2006 she independently produced and released “SheHeIYouMeWe” her debut EP. It enjoyed strong CDsales and air play on Sydney based, FBi Radio, 2SER, Bondi FM and local Melbourne radio stations.

In 2012 she won Songs on Stage Songwriters and Performers award, the prize money of which, helped her get back into studio and record the single “Hoopla”.2013 she was finalist in Music Oz Awards Singer Songwriter category for the song and top 100 of the People’s Choice across all genre’s in the country.

QnA

Tell us about the moment you decided to become a singer? What did your family/friends have to say about it?

For as long as I can remember I was writing poetry, singing and playing instruments. It was a natural progression that this nascent self expression would amount to a body of work that I am proud to share. My family and friends have aways been encouraging and supportive, saying I offer a very unique voice and musical quality, that is hard to pigeonhole.

What is the first record you bought and why?

It was Joni Mitchell “Hits and Misses” and it was a tape. Purchased to learn every word by heart.

Favourite artists of all time?

I have to say Bjork. It’s a hard question to answer and it doesn’t necessarily mean that my music is in the same genre or that I am aiming for a pop sphere but the truth is own all her albums, admire her creativity and boldness and when I feel that I’m just a bit too weird for the word, I take solace in Bjork.

Fave food or drink and is there a story associated with that?

My favourite food is Pierogi because I am Polish but as I am gluten intolerant, so only allow the indulgence every now and then.

You are backstage with Nick Cave what do you say?

I say “My great ambition as a songwriter is to collaborate a duet with you. It would be an incredible murder story to sit alongside “Henry Lee” and “Where The Wild Roses Grow”. (I think I need to work on my approach here!)

“So Modern” the Title Track to the album

“If we live our lives as an avatar of ourselves, what are we giving up of our true self to uphold that image and where do we go from there as a society?” (Ivona Rose) So Modern questions the impact of technology, how we are using it and what we are losing as a society in the process. A dance between Autoharp, Guitar and Zoe Hauptmann’s expert Double Bass licks, take us to a time reminiscent of 60’s Go Go. “

Yhan Leal walks the line with light feet. The Colombian born, now Bellingen based singer songwriter dedicates his waking hours to honing his artistic craft. After 20 years of performing Yhan, a truly gifted guitarist and angelic singer, has found his musical identity. Yhan Leal represents a new direction of Folk.

When did you settle in the Bellingen Shire?

I’m sure this is my 6th year, It’s flown by but I’ve had had such a wondrous time here.

Can you describe your earlier life in Colombia?

Well I was only in Colombia until age 5 so the memories are very dreamlike, enormous white houses, wild rivers, and I remember leaving for Australia in a confused state in the middle of the night.

Have you always had music in your life?

Yes, my mother sang to me, spanish love songs and nursery rhymes. My three older brothers had very diverse taste in music, from Opera to Metal, and we always had the record player going.

Are you musically trained?

Yes, I started in a Classic Guitar school at age eight for a few years then started learning electric guitar at my local music shop, I loved hanging around in that shop, ended up teaching there myself.

I also started singing pop songs naturally with the guitar at age 8, then took singing lessons at around 17 for many years. I loved learning everything I could about music, I bought countless books and videos and had many teachers, but my high school music teacher will always be my most revered.

Would you describe your music as ‘folk’ based?

Yes, folk means ‘people’ and my ideas for songs are always about the experience of the individual. Intimacy and an acoustic guitar is also very folk, but I also embrace modern sounds like samples and effects, so I call my genre ‘modern folk’.

You are performing at the Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival. Is this the first year you have performed for this festival? Can you describe what you are expecting?

Yes this is my first time performing at the festival, I’m excited to play to an audience who appreciate that less is more! I’m going to play as stripped back as possible but give my songs everything I’ve got.

Have you got any exciting plans for your music into the future?

Yes, I will be launching a brand new album this November 11 at the Bellingen Memorial Hall. I’ll be performing the entire album and recreating it;s production with the support of mostly local musicians, including an electronic score. Tix are on sale now via my website www.yhanleal.com and from Roots Records in Bellingen.